【World Property Journal】Builder Confidence Index Posts Largest Decline in U.S. History, Driven by Coronavirus

According to the latest National Association of Home Builders / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released this week, U.S. builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes plunged 42 points in April to an HIMI reading of 30 points.

The decline in April 2020 was the largest single monthly change in the history of the index and marks the lowest builder confidence reading since June 2012. It is also the first time that builder confidence has been in negative territory (below 50) since June 2014.

"This unprecedented drop in builder confidence is due exclusively to the coronavirus outbreak across the nation, as unemployment has skyrocketed and gaps in the supply chain have hampered construction activities," said NAHB Chairman Dean Mon. "Meanwhile, there continues to be some confusion over builder eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program, as some builders have successfully submitted loan applications while others have not been able to. NAHB is working with the White House, Treasury and Congress to get the broadest builder participation possible. Home building remains an essential business throughout most of the nation, and as the pandemic shows signs of easing in the weeks ahead, buyers should return to the marketplace."
 

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